Coast2coast - w'haven to n'castle - anyone done it recently?
Discussion
A few of us are doing this for charity in 3 weeks, but we will be on road bikes. I know that the bit past Keswick on the old railway line is gravel and unsuitable, but what about the old railway line past consett into Newcastle - is that tarmac or gravel? I'm trying to plan a route that follows the C2C as closely as possible
Edited by zebedee on Wednesday 9th May 12:23
zebedee said:
A few of us are doing this for charity in 3 weeks, but we will be on road bikes. I know that the bit past Keswick on the old railway line is gravel and unsuitable, but what about the old railway line past consett into Newcastle - is that tarmac or gravel? I'm trying to plan a route that follows the C2C as closely as possible
The Derwent walk is fine gravel, easily traversable on road bikes. The bits of the route you might have problems with are over Heartside where it is grass, you can deviate by going up the road at this point but that is narrow and heavily trafficked.
The Waskerly way to West of Consett is grass and gravel and it wet is a trial on a mountain bike. The Keelman's walk through Gateshead is meant to be pretty rough but I've never been along it to see.
Isn't gateshead on the south of the tyne? The c2c path follows the north shore of the tyne, I know it is fine as it goes past the trendy quayside bit, but not sure how it finishes between there and the castle at tynemouth? It seems the bit down to consett and then to the tyne might have to be detoured though from your comments.
Can anyone else help, it would make planning the route a lot easier!?
Can anyone else help, it would make planning the route a lot easier!?
I'm thinking of doing this in 2008 (its either a week riding in Cumbria with the inbred locals or a week doing 7stanes). This is a good place to start for info [url]www.c2c-guide.co.uk/[/url]. What you will quickly learn is that there isn't a definative route. It is more than possible to do the whole route on road if you so desire.
I lived in Heaton and my then girlfriend lived in Whitehaven I can assure you that it isn't a direct route for the c2c. Some of the routes are 170 odd miles and it was no where near that far when I used to drive it along the A69 into Carlisle and down through deliverance country.
Good luck with it. There is some spectacular views and sights to be seen. Please post up a report. And don't forget to dip your wheel at both coasts!
I lived in Heaton and my then girlfriend lived in Whitehaven I can assure you that it isn't a direct route for the c2c. Some of the routes are 170 odd miles and it was no where near that far when I used to drive it along the A69 into Carlisle and down through deliverance country.
Good luck with it. There is some spectacular views and sights to be seen. Please post up a report. And don't forget to dip your wheel at both coasts!
do the 7 stanes, which all I have heard about is along the lines of "excellent!" or a week of natural riding in the lakes - it will be much more fun that the c2c. I'm from up there originally so I know the Cumbrian side, but it would be nice to follow C2C past Consett and along the Tyne instead of grinding along urban roads and the A roads through East Newcastle, but as I am in charge of navigation I don't want to lead my skinny tyred friends onto gravel...
If you want some ideas for routes in the Lakes, let me know
If you want some ideas for routes in the Lakes, let me know
zebedee said:
Isn't gateshead on the south of the tyne? The c2c path follows the north shore of the tyne, I know it is fine as it goes past the trendy quayside bit, but not sure how it finishes between there and the castle at tynemouth? It seems the bit down to consett and then to the tyne might have to be detoured though from your comments.
Can anyone else help, it would make planning the route a lot easier!?
Can anyone else help, it would make planning the route a lot easier!?
There are routes on both sides of Tyne the northside one is the nicer one to take.
Cheers Zebedee,
Seems weird that we're organising a 2008 trip already. We've just got back from a long weekend at Coed (awesome as usual and it was nice to ride it in the dry for a change). We have a weekend in Afan at the end of June booked up, when we'll ride the Skyline and then link the Wall and White's together on the Sunday. Then we're off to Morzine at the end of August for a weeks XC / Trail fun.
At the moment we're weighing up the pros and cons of the Lakes and 7 Stanes. Although, I would like to ride the C2C next year (either on or off road). Would do it on my own but who'll be there to capture / witness my comedy crashes?
Seems weird that we're organising a 2008 trip already. We've just got back from a long weekend at Coed (awesome as usual and it was nice to ride it in the dry for a change). We have a weekend in Afan at the end of June booked up, when we'll ride the Skyline and then link the Wall and White's together on the Sunday. Then we're off to Morzine at the end of August for a weeks XC / Trail fun.
At the moment we're weighing up the pros and cons of the Lakes and 7 Stanes. Although, I would like to ride the C2C next year (either on or off road). Would do it on my own but who'll be there to capture / witness my comedy crashes?
Talksteer said:
There are routes on both sides of Tyne the northside one is the nicer one to take.
Being from newcastle I was pretty embarrassed by the final strech of the C2C from the quayside - tynemouth. Maybe we took a bad route but after crossing miles of deserted lovely countryside to complete the last 10 miles over broken glass with kids on motorbikes was just embarrassing to think that people travel from all over the country to cycle this route and let down by my home town.
There is an offroad section on www.c2c-guide.co.uk/offroad.htm but I certainly wouldnt like to do the winlatter pass on a road bike. Parts of the Derwent walk (Consett - Rowlands Gill) maybe a bit rough also.
Edited by mcarrick69 on Friday 11th May 09:20
mcarrick69 said:
Talksteer said:
There are routes on both sides of Tyne the northside one is the nicer one to take.
Being from newcastle I was pretty embarrassed by the final strech of the C2C from the quayside - tynemouth. Maybe we took a bad route but after crossing miles of deserted lovely countryside to complete the last 10 miles over broken glass with kids on motorbikes was just embarrassing to think that people travel from all over the country to cycle this route and let down by my home town.
There is an offroad section on www.c2c-guide.co.uk/offroad.htm but I certainly wouldnt like to do the winlatter pass on a road bike. Parts of the Derwent walk (Consett - Rowlands Gill) maybe a bit rough also.
Edited by mcarrick69 on Friday 11th May 09:20
I know, but we are following the route where we can - Whinlatter pass is actually a tarmac road, but I know that the descent on the C2C is an off-road section, no problem, we stay on the road into Keswick. Its the 'out of the Pennines and past Consett to the Castle at Tynemouth' that is stumping us at the moment.
mk1fan said:
Cheers Zebedee,
Seems weird that we're organising a 2008 trip already. We've just got back from a long weekend at Coed (awesome as usual and it was nice to ride it in the dry for a change). We have a weekend in Afan at the end of June booked up, when we'll ride the Skyline and then link the Wall and White's together on the Sunday. Then we're off to Morzine at the end of August for a weeks XC / Trail fun.
At the moment we're weighing up the pros and cons of the Lakes and 7 Stanes. Although, I would like to ride the C2C next year (either on or off road). Would do it on my own but who'll be there to capture / witness my comedy crashes?
Seems weird that we're organising a 2008 trip already. We've just got back from a long weekend at Coed (awesome as usual and it was nice to ride it in the dry for a change). We have a weekend in Afan at the end of June booked up, when we'll ride the Skyline and then link the Wall and White's together on the Sunday. Then we're off to Morzine at the end of August for a weeks XC / Trail fun.
At the moment we're weighing up the pros and cons of the Lakes and 7 Stanes. Although, I would like to ride the C2C next year (either on or off road). Would do it on my own but who'll be there to capture / witness my comedy crashes?
There would be a fair bit of travelling between the 7 stanes centres, whereas if you based yourself in the central lakes, you would be in striking distance of about hundred routes! Grizedale (south Lakes) now offers a man made trail, so you can get the best of both worlds there. If you have mainly ridden man-made, and if you are killig Coed y Brenin then I would reccomend that you take your skills to the next level and try some of the super-technical natural trails in the Lakes. Day tripping on epic routes in the Lakes is a very different animal to half a day ripping up single track, but I think you'll like it. It also seems more conducive to a week's holiday, more pubs to ride past, soak in the scenery and talk about the rides over a beer at night. Some of the 7 stanes places aren't really near any nice places, although the accomodation (whilst more sparse) will be a lot cheaper - why not camp in the lakes though?
I'm planning my 2008 ride as well - the Alta Rezia in the Italian Alps, and I am already giddy with excitement!
Your '08 trip sounds like it's going to be a good one. Following our week in Morzine it might be that we book an Alps holiday again for 2008. We haven't ridden the Apls before and it might be that we go again for next years week long excursion - or go over to Whistler.
7 Stanes is spread out - but then again so are the ones in Wales. The natural trails in Cumbria are a very attractive proposition. The Old Man of Coniston, Helvelyn etc.. It might be that we have an extended weekend in the Lakes in stead of a week (if the Alps bug bites really hard).
I'm loving Coed though. Just brilliant. The Pink Heffer - although technically very easy - is such a treat to ride. We ended up making our own circuits up by linking together the different trails and missing out the dreaded firetrail! We stayed in a cottage that was 1.3 miles further up the road from the start of Morticia. Great accommodation and great riding.
7 Stanes is spread out - but then again so are the ones in Wales. The natural trails in Cumbria are a very attractive proposition. The Old Man of Coniston, Helvelyn etc.. It might be that we have an extended weekend in the Lakes in stead of a week (if the Alps bug bites really hard).
I'm loving Coed though. Just brilliant. The Pink Heffer - although technically very easy - is such a treat to ride. We ended up making our own circuits up by linking together the different trails and missing out the dreaded firetrail! We stayed in a cottage that was 1.3 miles further up the road from the start of Morticia. Great accommodation and great riding.
could I have the details of the cottage?
As for your Afan plans, I would ride White's level first - the initial climb is looooooooong and you need fresh legs for it! Not done the Wall, it has been closed a lot this year, but we did Penhydd and that is much more 'long drags on fireroad linking some sweet sections' than Whites, which is just full-on all the time - the Wall is the same distance and height gain, but whether you will fancy doing it after Whites is another question! I'm hoping to ride all of the welsh centres this year, if not all the routes, but so far have only done Afan and Cwm Carn, so Coed y Brenin is next up (only done the easy route there with my wife)
As for your Afan plans, I would ride White's level first - the initial climb is looooooooong and you need fresh legs for it! Not done the Wall, it has been closed a lot this year, but we did Penhydd and that is much more 'long drags on fireroad linking some sweet sections' than Whites, which is just full-on all the time - the Wall is the same distance and height gain, but whether you will fancy doing it after Whites is another question! I'm hoping to ride all of the welsh centres this year, if not all the routes, but so far have only done Afan and Cwm Carn, so Coed y Brenin is next up (only done the easy route there with my wife)
See 'My weekend at Coed y Brenin' for all the details.
Our Afan w/e will be the Skyline on Saturday and then White's / Wall on Sunday. There is a link connection between the two of them at the top of the mountain. We'll be heading out from Glen Gorreg (SP) and up White's before crossing over and down The Wall to the original Visitors Centre. Then up the Wall and down White's.
The climb up The Wall is a good leg burner too! Either way round there's a lot of climbing.
Our Afan w/e will be the Skyline on Saturday and then White's / Wall on Sunday. There is a link connection between the two of them at the top of the mountain. We'll be heading out from Glen Gorreg (SP) and up White's before crossing over and down The Wall to the original Visitors Centre. Then up the Wall and down White's.
The climb up The Wall is a good leg burner too! Either way round there's a lot of climbing.
I have just got back from doing the C2C. We took the Northerly route from Consett to Tynemouth. Essentially, you will be fine-ish on a road bike until Parkhead Station at which point you have got at least 8 miles of surface that is definitely unsuitable for a road bike, unless it's a hybrid and can take some meatier rims. Further down the route just prior to Newcastle, it really turned faily poor and you'd wreck a road bike quicksmart. I was uncomfy on my mountain bike although I was running 1.5 road tyres at 70psi.
If you haven't already booked accommodation I can recommend the places we stayed at. We rode over 3 days and first stop was Penrith where we stayed at the Limes Guest house which is just the other side of Penrith (off the dual carriageway by the Travelodge). Quite olde-worlde but it's out of town centre, plenty of parking and safe to leave bikes. 4 quid taxi into town for beers.
The next stop was actually at Parkhead Station. Can't recommend this place highly enough. Fantastic place run by a great couple - Terry and Lorraine. Bargain prices - worth twice what we paid to stay there. Benefit is that you have made the final climb in day 2, so instead of dragging your ass up the hill at the start of day 3 and throwing your brekkie up, instead, it's an easy 95% downhill run to the end...!
Any other queries, just ask...!
Roop
If you haven't already booked accommodation I can recommend the places we stayed at. We rode over 3 days and first stop was Penrith where we stayed at the Limes Guest house which is just the other side of Penrith (off the dual carriageway by the Travelodge). Quite olde-worlde but it's out of town centre, plenty of parking and safe to leave bikes. 4 quid taxi into town for beers.
The next stop was actually at Parkhead Station. Can't recommend this place highly enough. Fantastic place run by a great couple - Terry and Lorraine. Bargain prices - worth twice what we paid to stay there. Benefit is that you have made the final climb in day 2, so instead of dragging your ass up the hill at the start of day 3 and throwing your brekkie up, instead, it's an easy 95% downhill run to the end...!
Any other queries, just ask...!
Roop
Thanks Roop - how was the final section once you got off the quayside (with the fancy bars and the bridges overhead) and running into the finish at the castle?
We're doing it in 2 days, staying in Alston, so a nice finish with Hartside after 70 miles of riding on day one! On my route, day one is 75 miles, day two 65.
We're doing it in 2 days, staying in Alston, so a nice finish with Hartside after 70 miles of riding on day one! On my route, day one is 75 miles, day two 65.
No worries Zeb - Last section after the quayside was some roadwork, plus a few miles of pathways. Nothing that a roadbike wouldn't handle IIRC, although it was fairly ripply and uncomfy in parts. Passed through a couple of bandit-country style housing estates. Pretty uninspiring after the first two days in the lakes and over the moorsides. Don't envy you doing it in 2 days although on a road bike and minus panniers it'll be better. Mountain bike in 2 days, well, you must be fit...!
I carefully set up my cycle computer before I went (to the nearest 1/10th inch) and we did 164 miles in total which included some of the alternatives, plus an extra few miles for getting to the start etc.
I carefully set up my cycle computer before I went (to the nearest 1/10th inch) and we did 164 miles in total which included some of the alternatives, plus an extra few miles for getting to the start etc.
zebedee said:
Thanks Roop - how was the final section once you got off the quayside (with the fancy bars and the bridges overhead) and running into the finish at the castle?
We're doing it in 2 days, staying in Alston, so a nice finish with Hartside after 70 miles of riding on day one! On my route, day one is 75 miles, day two 65.
We're doing it in 2 days, staying in Alston, so a nice finish with Hartside after 70 miles of riding on day one! On my route, day one is 75 miles, day two 65.
mk1fan said:
What are the details of the place you are staying at in Alston?
Thanks for the info Roop - its a nice Trek 2200 road bike so I have the tools to do it as swiftly and easily (in terms of lightweight) as possible, although the lack of a triple chainring means those climbs will NOT be easy!
As for Alston, I'm not sure, I think it is just some kind of hostel - there are about 30-40 in all doing it, but only about 4 or 5 of us are doing the road ride, but I'm not really sure what the accomodation arrangements are.
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